Rockies LHP Chris Rusin (1-4, 4.62 ERA) at Dodgers RHP Kenta Maeda (5-3, 2.84), 8:10 p.m. Wednesday, ROOT, 850 AM
The Rockies caught a break on this trip to Los Angeles when they avoided have to face perennial Cy Young Award candidate Clayton Kershaw. Still, Maeda is a threat to dominate, as he did at Coors Field on April 23, when he pitched 6⅓ scoreless innings and struck out eight in L.A.’s 4-1 victory. The 28-year-old right-hander from Japan was brilliant in April, posting a 1.41 ERA, but he has fallen into a bit of a rut, having just one quality start in his past six outings. Rusin is the weakest link in Colorado’s rotation. He’s been a much better reliever than a starter. He is 0-4 with a 6.00 ERA in six starts vs. 1-0 with a 1.72 ERA in five relief appearances.
Thursday: Pirates LHP Jeff Locke (5-3, 4.28 ERA) at Rockies RHP Chad Bettis (4-5, 5.58), 3:10 p.m., ROOT
Friday: Padres RHP Andrew Cashner (3-5, 4.78) at Rockies RHP Jon Gray (4-2, 5.33), 6:40 p.m., ROOT
Saturday: Padres RHP Erik Johnson (0-2, 6.94) at Rockies RHP Tyler Chatwood (7-4, 2.79), 2:10 p.m., ROOT
